November 2012

THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL AT THE NEXT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

DEEP RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

The regular meeting of the Deep River Board of Education was held on Thursday, November 15, 2012. 
In attendance were Christine Daniels,Mark Malcarne, Miriam Morrissey, Karen Nelson-Oliveria, Art Robbins and Jim Olson.  
Also in attendance were Dr. Ruth Levy, Superintendent, Joanne Beekley, Assistant Superintendent,Jennifer Byars, Principal, Mr. Garth Sawyer, Business Manager and KelleyFrazier, Clerk. 
Absent:  Julia Grabowski, Dave Berardis and LizTracy-Montecalvo

 

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Daniels called the meeting to order at 7:02pm.   

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Dr. Levy opened the floor for the nominations for the office of chairman.

A motion was made by Art Robbins to nominate Christine Daniels Chairman of the Deep River ElementaryBoard of Education.  Jim Olson seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Daniels opened the floor for the following nominations:

Christine Daniels moved to nominate Mark Malcarne as the Vice Chair of the Deep River Elementary Board of Education.  Jim Olson seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Christine Daniels moved to nominated Art Robbins as the Secretary of the Deep River Elementary Board of Education.  Jim Olson seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

Special Committees:

Christine Daniels verified with members that they will remain on their previously assigned committees.  The Facilities Committee will also include Miriam Morrissey. 

CONSENT AGENDA

Mark Malcarne moved to approve the minutes from the September 20, 2012 meeting and the Accounts Payable report.   Jim Olson seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.

 

AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS

No Comment

 

OTHER ITEMS

Introduction of new hires DRES – Dr. Byars

Dr. Byars introduced Abby Johnson and Grace White who gave the school update.  Ms. Daniels thanked the students for giving the school update. 

 

REPORTS:

Financial Status Report – Mr. Garth Sawyer

Mr. Sawyer gave a brief financial status for Deep River Elementary School.  Currently there is a deficit of $38,000 due to unanticipated special education needs and new enrollees in the health insurance plan for the12-13 school year.  We will continue to look for areas in which there may be savings to cover the unanticipated costs.     

Cafeteria Report – Mr. Sawyer

Mr. Sawyer gave an update on the status of the Cafeteria Budget Updates.  Part of the increase is due to unionization of the cafeteria workers.  Mr. Peterlik will do a survey in January to help increase revenue in the cafeteria.  Enrollment decline has been problematic for the cafeteria.  The full day Kindergarten should help to offset some of this.  Dr. Levy will discuss with Mr. Peterlik what the needs for equipment may be for budgeting purposes.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance

The Finance Committee meets on Nov 27, 2012.    

Policy

The Policy Committee met last month and worked on finalizing the wording of several policies that will be approved at the next Joint Board of Education Meeting.

Curriculum

No Update

Joint PK-12 PolicyCommittee

No Update

Calendar

The Calendar Committee will be meeting and suggestions will be considered. 

Supervision District

This group met and discusseda grant available for districts who are discussing regionalization.  An Ad Hoc committee was put together and an application was submitted for this grant.   

Sixth Grade Committee

There is a meeting next week.  Findings will be presented. 

Preschool Committee

This group is also discussing the opinions of the staff and faculty. Direction for this group will be finalized.    

DRES Facilities (Building and Grounds)

This Committee met in October to discuss the 5 year projections of projects needing to be completed.  There was a tour of the building.   The new phone system is having issues, but work is being done to resolve the problems.   

An inspection has been done on the playground equipment.  The report will be complete soon. 

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT’SREPORT – J. Beekley

General Update

Dr. Beekley gave an update on Professional Development.  The October Professional Development day was spent on Common Core State Standardsin English/Language Arts.  The Curriculum Committee has been developing a broad three year skeleton plan for long range planning.  The English/LanguageArts Committee is working in small units and will continue unit development.  Parents were able to get information regarding the Common Core State Standards at a dinner held last evening.  Parents did give feedback. 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT - R. Levy

District Update

Dr. Levy noted that our team PreK through 12 worked very well in putting the information together for the Common Core State Standards presentation. The community came together for Hurricane Sandy.  They had approximately 30 people stayingin the shelter at John Winthrop Middle School.  Two evenings 500 people were served for dinner.  FEMA will reimburse for any expenses. 

The Website is going to be running next week.  There will bean unveiling at the Joint Board meeting. This is very easy to use. Each school will have their own page.  There are links to each town’s website.

School Calendar

Dr. Levy has had numerous emails about the calendar.  We have a minimum of 18 hours of Professional Development.  She noted that we have contractual obligations and nine unions which we work with.  To change the calendar is complicated. Dr. Levy discussed good faith bargaining with the unions and their days. She will approach the Calendar Committee to change January 18th from a full Professional Day to a ½for students and a half day for Professional Development.  Currently we are ending on June 25th.  If we use January 18th as an additional day the end of the year will be on June 24th.  If there is a need for additional snowdays, it is stated that we will take from April Vacation beginning on FridayApril 19th and working backwards.  The Calendar Committee is open to the public for comments atthe beginning of the meeting.  The calendar is voted on at the Supervision District Meeting.   Changes will be considered for next year.   

 

Presentation of Major Budget Drivers for Proposed 2013-14 DRES Budget

Dr.Levy gave a brief broad overview of the 2013-14 Budget.  She noted that our enrollment is declining.  The projections look at a steady decline through 2022.  Dr.Levy discussed the major budget drivers. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Doug Whitaker asked Mr. Sawyer if the unanticipated special education costs are over four or five months.  Mr. Sawyer said there are changes that happen after the budget is approved and the school year begins.  Dr. Levy noted that she has tried to get the Board of Education, Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen together to discuss teacher negotiations so that everyone is on the same page. 

The PTO will have Bingo and dinner at 5:30pm tomorrow at the Junior High School.

Mr.Olson noted that he enjoys having the kids do the school update, but he would like Dr. Byars to also give a report.  

Dr.Byers gave a brief update.  She noted that the school managed the storm well.  A tree was lost on school grounds.  Generators were used to run the chillers to keep food cold.  The school may want to purchase generators in the future for food storage during extended power outages.  The Veteran’s Day celebration was delayed due to weather issues.  Veterans will be honored at the end of November.  The Common Core State Standards overview was beneficial to parents. The Language consultants are trying to help parents with general support in reading and the shift to the Common Core State Standards.  The School Improvement Team is working on goals for this year and next. Staff members are attending various conferences.

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion dulymade and seconded the Board unanimously VOTED to adjourn at 8:37p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kelley Frazier, Board Clerk

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

8.1 Next Regular DRES BOE Meeting (January 17, 2013)

8.2 BOE Community Input on 2013-14 Budget (Ongoing)

8.3 Presentation of Draft DRES Budget for 2013-14(Jan) – R. Levy

8.4 Review of Strategic School Profile (when available from State) – J. Beekley

8.5 DRES BOE 2013-14 BudgetWorkshops (Feb 07, Feb 26th, Mar 12th)

8.6 Vote to Adopt DRES Budget for 2013-14 (Mar)

8.7 Vote on Staff Non-Renewals(Mar)

8.8 Present DRES 2013-14Budget at Town Meeting (TBD)

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